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Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Before we begin, I just want to point out that the theme song for this film has always perplexed me. Don’t get me wrong, I think Breakaway by Big Pig is awesome and I love the lyrics… but something about those lyrics just makes me go ‘wait… what?’ when I think about it in the context of this film, which is about two dudes… judge for yourself

For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past 26 years, Bill & Ted was the film that made Keanu Reeves a household name and which epitomised the late 80’s/ early 90’s Californian Stoner Culture. It’s not really the kind of thing you’re going to sit down and watch if you want to be challenged mentally or if you’re in the mood to experience some deep feels. Seriously, this is strictly light weight fare. Here’s the trailer:

Alex Winter (who you may remember for another 80’s gem: The Lost Boys) stars alongside Keanu Reeves (Ted Theodore Logan), as Bill S. Preston Equire. The pair are having the most epic bro-mance of the decade, but their awesome relationship is about to hit some serious turmoil, thanks to Ted’s father, who has promised to send him to military school if he fails out of high school… which he looks set to do. Can’t imagine why…

So who cares about the separation of two stoner dudes who contribute nothing to society except a pretty face (Ted) and an enviable midriff (Bill) ? Some serious dudes from the future, that’s who, because it turns out that Bill & Ted’s band, Wyld Stallions (not even going to touch that innuendo) will one day be responsible for restoring peace to human kind. If the bro’s are separated, this might never happen… and then where will the future dudes be? Not sitting around in a blue room, wearing shimmery robes and sunnies, that’s for certain.

In order to save the future, Rufus is sent back through time, in a time travelling phone booth, to assist Bill and Ted with their final history assignment. If they can manage to pass, then Ted can stay in San Dimas and everything will unfold as it should.

It takes a minimal amount of persuasion, but eventually, Bill & Ted head off through 7,000 years of history, meeting a number of prominent historical characters along the way, who are only too happy to jump in the time travelling phone booth to assist them with their history assignment. Additionally, there is Bill’s step-mother, Missy/Mom, who is happy to step in and save the day when things look like they’ve really gone to ruin. Bless her.

This movie also features sweet water slides, amazing ice cream treats and a pretty epic dance montage that includes numerous historical characters. So yeah. Winning!
At this point in time, we’re sailing away into a crisp wintery Friday, so by all means, put on the electric heater, throw on your trackies and uggs, pop a frozen pizza and homebrand garlic bread in the oven and rewatch this classic late 80’s film. Keanu has arguably never really been able to shake off the whole ‘whoa’ image that he defined in this performance, but, all things considered, there are really far worse fates than forever being linked with Ted Theodore Logan. (It’s okay, Keanu, I’ll always love you anyway… from the age of about 8-13, I thought we were totally going to get married…. and I totally still would, dude.)

Oh snap, and without this film we wouldn’t have this:

Finally, there was a sequel to this, but I like to pretend it never happened, so don’t expect to see it on here any time in the near or distant future. Sorry dudes, it was shit.